Rolling Stone Lifetime Subscription Settlement, How to Get Your Print Magazine Back

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against the Settlement Agreement filed in Krivin v. Penske Media Corporation, Case No. 2:25-cv-05803, Central District of California (February 24, 2026). Last Updated: May 6, 2026

The Rolling Stone Lifetime Subscription Settlement is a class action settlement where eligible U.S. lifetime subscribers can resume receiving their print edition of Rolling Stone Magazine for life and claim two years of free access to RollingStone.com. Plaintiffs Moss Krivin, Eric Hueg, Kim Gallagher, and Beverly Penninger filed a class action complaint against Penske Media Corporation on June 25, 2025, in California federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws after the company stopped sending print copies to lifetime subscribers. The settlement was signed on February 23, 2026, and the court has preliminarily approved it. The final fairness hearing is set for August 7, 2026.

Rolling Stone Lifetime Subscription Settlement — Quick Facts

FieldDetail
Settlement StatusPreliminarily Approved
Claim DeadlineNo deadline — you may submit your claim at any time
Who QualifiesU.S. residents who purchased a lifetime subscription to Rolling Stone Magazine
Payout Per PersonPrint edition resumed for life + 2 years of RollingStone.com access (no cash)
Proof RequiredNo — just your name, mailing address, and email address
Settlement AmountNon-monetary benefit (service delivery); attorneys’ fees capped at $525,000
Settlement StatusPreliminarily Approved — Final Fairness Hearing: August 7, 2026
AdministratorPenske Media Corporation (self-administered)
Official Websiteswww.RS-settlement.com · www.Krivin-rs.com
Last UpdatedMay 6, 2026

Why Rolling Stone Is Being Sued and What Penske Media Did

You paid for a lifetime subscription to Rolling Stone Magazine. That meant print issues, delivered to your door, for the rest of your life. Then in May 2024, the company quietly pulled the rug out.

In May 2024, Penske Media announced it would no longer deliver printed copies to lifetime subscribers. Instead, the company would only provide them with an “e-Edition” of the magazine, which is essentially a PDF. Lifetime subscribers who had paid for a tangible, physical product suddenly found themselves staring at a digital file.

The lawsuit — Krivin et al. v. Penske Media Corporation, Case No. 2:25-cv-05803, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California — alleges that PMC violated the California Consumers Legal Remedies Act (CLRA) and breached its contracts with lifetime subscribers by making this switch without consent. The plaintiffs argue that the print edition has significant tactile, visual, and collectible value that the electronic version lacks, and that the e-Edition is difficult to read and is not a substitute for a physical magazine.

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Rolling Stone Lifetime Subscription Settlement, How to Get Your Print Magazine Back

This is exactly the kind of consumer rights lawsuit that protects people from companies quietly rewriting the terms of deals they already made. PMC denies any wrongdoing, but agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of trial. For readers familiar with similar subscription disputes, the Amazon subscription class action and Google Play subscription settlement show how courts have consistently held companies accountable when subscription terms are changed without proper notice.

Who Qualifies for the Rolling Stone Settlement?

If you are asking “do I qualify for the Rolling Stone settlement” — the answer comes down to one simple question: did you purchase a lifetime subscription?

You may qualify if:

  • You purchased a so-called “lifetime” subscription to Rolling Stone Magazine at any point
  • You currently live in the United States
  • You have not been excluded from the class (PMC officers, directors, employees, and their immediate families are excluded)

You do NOT qualify if:

  • You only purchased a standard annual or monthly subscription — this settlement covers lifetime subscribers only
  • You are a current or former PMC employee, officer, or director

At the time the settlement was signed, there were approximately 14,500 class members not yet receiving print copies, and approximately 950 class members who had already had their print delivery reinstated. If you are in the second group, you are still a class member and can claim your two years of free RollingStone.com access.

If you are unsure whether you purchased a lifetime subscription, contact the settlement line at 1-800-552-3632 or email [email protected].

What You Actually Get from the Rolling Stone Settlement

This settlement does not pay cash. Instead, it delivers the thing you were originally promised: your print magazine.

Benefit 1 — Print Edition Resumed for Life. If you are not currently receiving the print edition, you can opt in and Rolling Stone will begin print delivery within six to twelve weeks after the settlement administrator approves your claim. You will continue to receive it for as long as the print edition is published during your lifetime.

Benefit 2 — Two Years of RollingStone.com Access at No Cost. PMC will provide access to RollingStone.com within fourteen days of receiving your approved opt-in. This is a standalone subscription-based platform separate from the print magazine.

One important detail: if Rolling Stone Magazine is no longer published in print but the e-Edition continues to be published electronically, class members will continue to receive the e-Edition for their lifetime or until the e-Edition ceases to be published, whichever comes first. The settlement does not guarantee a specific number of print issues per year.

How to Claim Your Rolling Stone Settlement Benefits

This is one of the easiest claims you will ever file. You need only your name, mailing address, and email address — nothing else. There is also no deadline, so you can submit this today or any time in the future.

Step 1 — Go to the official claim portal at www.Krivin-rs.com (also accessible through www.RS-settlement.com).

Step 2 — Choose your preferred contact method: online portal, phone, or email.

Step 3 — Enter your name, mailing address, and email address.

Step 4 — Select which benefits you want: print delivery, RollingStone.com access, or both.

Step 5 — Submit your opt-in request.

Step 6 — Watch for confirmation. Print delivery starts within 6–12 weeks. Digital access starts within 14 days.

You can also call 1-800-552-3632 or email [email protected] directly — whichever is easiest for you.

Estimated time to complete: 2–3 minutes.

Rolling Stone Settlement — Important Dates

MilestoneDate
Lawsuit FiledJune 25, 2025
Settlement Agreement SignedFebruary 23, 2026
Preliminary ApprovalGranted (exact order date TBD — pending court confirmation)
Notice Mailed to Class MembersTBD — 30 days after Preliminary Approval Order
Opt-Out DeadlineTBD — 30 days after Notice Date
Objection DeadlineTBD — 45 days after Notice Date
Final Fairness HearingAugust 7, 2026
Claim Filing DeadlineNo deadline — claim at any time
Print Delivery BeginsWithin 6–12 weeks of approved opt-in
RollingStone.com Access BeginsWithin 14 days of approved opt-in

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to file a Rolling Stone settlement claim?

No. You file directly through www.Krivin-rs.com or by calling 1-800-552-3632. Class Counsel from Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith LLP and Miller Shah LLP already represents you at no charge. Hiring your own attorney is optional and will not change what you receive.

Is this Rolling Stone settlement legitimate?

Yes. This is a court-approved class action pending before Judge André Birotte Jr. in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The case number is 2:25-cv-05803. The official settlement website is www.RS-settlement.com. Never submit your information through any site not linked directly from that address.

When will I receive my Rolling Stone print magazine after filing?

If the settlement receives final approval at the August 7, 2026 hearing and you have submitted your opt-in, print delivery begins within 6–12 weeks of PMC processing your claim. RollingStone.com digital access starts within 14 days of your opt-in.

What if I missed the claim deadline?

There is no deadline. The settlement agreement explicitly states class members may submit their opt-in request at any time in the future. You are not at risk of losing your benefits by filing later — though claiming sooner means your magazines start arriving sooner.

Will this settlement payment affect my taxes?

This settlement provides services, not cash. Receiving your print magazine and digital access is unlikely to create a taxable event. However, tax treatment depends on individual circumstances. Consult a qualified tax professional if you have questions specific to your situation.

What if Rolling Stone stops printing magazines in the future?

The settlement addresses this directly. If Rolling Stone ceases print publication but continues the e-Edition, you would receive the digital edition for your lifetime instead. The settlement does not require Rolling Stone to publish any specific number of issues or continue printing indefinitely.

Can I opt out of the Rolling Stone settlement and sue on my own?

Yes. If you want to preserve your right to file an individual lawsuit against PMC, you must mail a signed opt-out request to defense counsel at DTO Law, 915 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1950, Los Angeles, CA 90017, postmarked by the opt-out deadline (30 days after the Notice Date — check www.RS-settlement.com for the exact date).

How many people are in this Rolling Stone class action?

Approximately 15,450 lifetime subscribers nationwide are covered — roughly 14,500 who were no longer receiving print delivery and 950 who had already had delivery reinstated before the settlement was signed.

Sources & References

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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